Assassination of Shinzo Abe Shocks Japan
In the month's most shocking event, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated while giving a campaign speech in Nara. The assassination of Japan's longest-serving prime minister sent shockwaves through the typically peaceful nation and highlighted growing political tensions worldwide.
British Government in Complete Crisis
Boris Johnson's premiership collapsed as 61 ministers and aides resigned from his government. Johnson finally resigned as Conservative Party leader but remained as caretaker Prime Minister, triggering a leadership contest that would reshape British politics.
Sri Lankan Government Falls Amid Economic Collapse
Sri Lanka experienced a complete governmental collapse as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled his residence after protesters stormed the building. Both the president and prime minister agreed to resign amid the country's worst economic crisis since 1948, with the prime minister's private residence being set on fire by protesters.
Ukraine War & European Heat Wave
Russian missile strikes killed at least 23 civilians in Vinnytsia, demonstrating the ongoing brutality of the conflict. Simultaneously, Europe experienced its most severe heat wave in centuries, with Portugal issuing warnings of temperatures as high as 43°C (109°F) amid devastating drought and wildfires.
James Webb Space Telescope Delivers First Images
In a moment of scientific wonder, NASA released the first stunning full-color image from the James Webb Space Telescope, showing a galaxy cluster 4.6 billion light-years from Earth. The image represented a major milestone in space exploration and astronomy.